23 November 2018
Are you one of the many thousands of people who are starting to consider working from home as a feasible and financially savvy option? Perhaps you have just started your own business, or maybe you have decided that the stress and money that go into commuting to work five days a week is not for you and have negotiated home-working with your company? Regardless of the reasons, home working is becoming ever popular, with the Office of National Statistics predicting that 50% of the UK workforce will be working remotely by 2020.
Whilst turning one of your bedrooms into a study, or setting up shop in your kitchen, may work in the short term, some people find that creating a space separate from the house is conducive to a better home working environment, and so the garden office has become a popular option. But how do you create a functional, attractive garden office? Here are some of our top tips:
The Office
First things first, you need to pick the right garden office structure. With their increased popularity, there are many to choose from, ranging in size, material and style. Decide on the location of your office and how big the structure can be, bearing in mind that if you build one without planning permission its eaves height cannot exceed 2.5m and the overall height cannot be over 3m.
You also want to consider the materials used, from timber to concrete, each option has its pros and cons. And finally cost - which will help determine the office you eventually choose! It’s worth remembering that whilst cheaper may seem better, in the long run, you may end up with more maintenance work or having to replace the office entirely as it becomes less structurally sound.
Heating
We also supply a fantastic range of combination summerhouse offices for sale, but as you will be using your garden office all year round ensure that it is fully insulated.
In the bitter depths of winter, simply having good insulation will not suffice. You will need your office to be connected to electricity so that you can include radiators (portable ones are fine) and maybe if you want to go all out, underfloor heating. If you worry about the costs of heating, you could even consider installing solar roof panels to help generate power directly to your office.
Electricity
As well as helping to heat your office, installing electricity is a necessity to help run a successful office, as it is needed to help power your computer, telephones, lighting etc. Ensure you hire a licensed electrician who will make sure that the installation is safe and secure.
Décor
Neutral colours are a good option when it comes to decorating your home office, creating a calm and soothing environment for you to work most efficiently. Splashes of colour can be added with accessories such as rugs and paintings.
Furniture
Apart from the obvious; desk, chair etc, you need to think about storage solutions for files, perhaps a bookshelf or two, and even an area with a kettle or coffee machine. Space dependent, you may also want to consider a ‘meeting’ area in the space, with a sofa and table, meaning that you are able to invite people for meetings in the comfort of your own home.
If you are considering installing a garden office in your home, take a look at our fabulous selection. We have offices to suit all gardens, tastes, needs and budgets. If you are unsure of the best choice for you, don’t hesitate to call our wonderful customer services team who will be happy to talk through all your options, or pop into one of our 37 stores across the UK.
Posted by Matt Jordan
